12.4 Socially Just Counseling and Advocacy

Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC)

Counselors must continually work to provide services rooted in social justice and advocacy. As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the Multicultural Counseling Competency model (MCC) addresses three broad areas that a counselor should be aware of: attitudes and beliefs—awareness of one’s assumptions, values, and biases;  knowledge—understanding the worldview of culturally diverse clients; and skills—developing appropriate intervention strategies and techniques (Sue et al., 1982). The Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) called for counselors to develop their “knowledge of theories that explain how their privileged and marginalized status influences their experiences and worldview” (ACA, 2015, p. 5).

As written, the MSJCC provides a critical framework for addressing cultural dynamics in counseling and is integral to the ethical practice of counseling. Exploring the MSJCC fosters the development of cultural competence through a deeper understanding of counselor self-awareness, the client’s perspective, the implications of diversity within the counseling relationship, and the counselor’s role as an advocate (Ratts et al., 2016). Integrating the MSJCC into counselor education allows for ongoing discussions about diversity issues across various contexts, promoting ethical and inclusive practices (Collins et al., 2015).

One way to operationalize the MSJCC is through cultural intentionality, which Ivey (1987) defined as the ability to understand and address unique cultural needs within relationships. Counselor educators can apply cultural intentionality by actively engaging students in the learning environment, co-creating course schedules, establishing classroom expectations, and emphasizing experiential learning over traditional didactic methods (LaMantia et al., 2015). These strategies encourage a collaborative and inclusive classroom culture, aligning with ethical mandates to respect and honor cultural diversity.

Additionally, understanding cultural intersectionality—the interaction of various cultural identities that can lead to unique experiences of oppression—is a crucial component of ethical counselor education. LaMantia et al. (2015) emphasized that counselor educators who create spaces for students to explore intersectionality help cultivate empathy and compassion for clients from diverse backgrounds. Such educators can foster positive student outcomes by encouraging students to share personal experiences, reflect on their identities, and engage in a culturally responsive curriculum. Awareness and integration of cultural intersectionality improve student learning and prepare them to work ethically and effectively with clients with complex cultural identities (Grant & Zwier, 2011).

The ACA (2014) code of ethics underscores multicultural competence as an ethical obligation for all counseling professionals. Counselor educators are responsible for integrating diversity and cultural awareness throughout their programs to prepare students for ethical and competent practice. Research supports that infusing multicultural topics into the curriculum and addressing cultural dynamics in intentional and intersectional ways leads to better educational outcomes and prepares students to meet the ethical challenges of professional counseling (West et al., 2013).

Advocacy

Advocacy is essential to ethical counseling, addressing power dynamics and systemic barriers hindering clients’ access to equitable treatment. Social justice advocacy, “actions taken to facilitate the removal of external barriers to opportunity and well-being” (Toporek & Liu, 2001, as cited in Goodman et al., 2018, p. 123), empowers counselors to promote equity for individual clients and broader communities. Becoming an effective advocate requires knowledge, skill development, and confidence in advocacy roles (Goodman et al., 2018).

The Foundation of Social Justice Advocacy

Advocacy begins with understanding the systemic inequities that impact individuals’ well-being and access to services. Multicultural counseling competencies provide a foundation for identifying these issues and guiding counselors toward culturally responsive care. However, research highlights a gap in formal advocacy training for counselors, leaving many unsure of how to engage in advocacy effectively (Kozan & Blustein, 2018). While research on social justice is one avenue for advocacy, counselors often prioritize direct action and intervention over academic study (Kozan & Blustein, 2018).

Social Justice, Social Change, and Advocacy in Counseling Practice

Social justice and social change are central to the counseling profession, providing a framework for addressing systemic issues that affect clients’ access to resources and opportunities. These principles encourage reflection, awareness, and action to eliminate barriers to personal and collective growth (Constantine et al., 2007).

As income inequality, education disparities, and resource limitations continue to rise, counselors play a critical role in fostering equity (Odegard & Vereen, 2010). Advocacy in counseling seeks to ensure that all individuals can achieve their full potential by addressing systemic barriers to vocational, educational, personal, and social opportunities (Lewis et al., 2010). Steele (2008) emphasized that advocacy requires counselors to take deliberate actions to remove obstacles that hinder clients’ progress. Lee et al. (2013) highlighted two key approaches to advocacy in counseling:

1. Case Advocacy: Empowering clients or families to address specific needs and overcome individual barriers. For example, counselors might help clients navigate bureaucratic processes to access critical services.
2. Cause Advocacy: Working to change systemic issues that affect marginalized or disenfranchised communities. This might involve campaigning for policy changes or collaborating with community organizations to address social inequities.

Both forms of advocacy align with the ethical standards outlined in the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) and are fundamental to promoting social justice.

Community Advocacy: Counselors as Change Agents

Counselors often advocate by collaborating with communities to identify and address systemic issues. Community collaboration involves applying counseling skills to help groups recognize problems within their environments and work together to develop solutions (Lewis et al., 2010). This collaborative process addresses immediate issues and empowers communities to advocate for themselves. Counselors may also engage in systems advocacy, working on behalf of organizations or institutions to enact change. For instance, a counselor might partner with schools or local governments to improve access to mental health services in underserved areas.

Advocacy Within the Counseling Profession

Counselors must integrate social justice and advocacy into their professional practice to fulfill their role as advocates. While direct client work often focuses on individual or family needs, broader advocacy efforts are essential to address systemic issues that perpetuate inequities. Counselors can draw from frameworks such as the Liberation Model, which emphasizes collaboration, critical reflection, and the development of actionable solutions to systemic problems (Steele, 2008). Additionally, increasing self-awareness and cultural competence is vital for effective advocacy. Engaging with diverse communities and working in environments that challenge monocultural perspectives can expand counselors’ understanding of social justice issues and strengthen their advocacy efforts (Zalaquett et al., 2008).

Advocacy for Social Issues

Counselors are uniquely positioned to address pressing social issues, such as the marginalization of transgender individuals. Transgender clients face numerous challenges, including unemployment, mental health struggles, and systemic discrimination (Neufeld, 2014). Counselors can advocate for transgender clients by taking actions such as:

• Securing resources and services that meet their unique needs.
• Educating families and communities to foster support.
• Using their professional privilege to challenge policies and practices that perpetuate inequities.

Advocacy at the systemic level may involve engaging in legislative processes, participating in professional organizations, or collaborating with advocacy groups to affect societal change (Lee, 1998).

The Counselor’s Role in Social Justice Advocacy

Counselors have a responsibility to act as advocates not only for their clients but also for broader social justice initiatives. Advocacy requires recognizing the interconnectedness of individual, community, and systemic issues and taking deliberate actions to address them. By embracing advocacy as an integral part of their practice, counselors can help dismantle barriers to opportunity and well-being, ensuring equitable access to resources and services for all.

Moreover, the ethical guidelines for counselors provide insights into how counselors can engage in advocacy work.

The ACA (2014) Code of Ethics describes advocacy thoroughly:

NAADAC (2021) also addresses advocacy: